Car-coupling



(No Model).

J. M. TERRY.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 275,438. I Patented Apr. 10,1883.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

nmnsmoRrnvrnn TERRY, OF PONTIAC, MICHIGAN.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,438, dated April 10, 1883,

Application filed April 27, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. MORTIMER TERRY, of Pontiac, county of Oakland, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oar-Couplers; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention consists in the combinations of devices and appliances hereinafter specified, and more particularly pointed outin the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of a car-coupler embodying my invention, showing the mechanism in position when the link is locked inone ofthe drawbar's, and similar mechanism in position ready to be thrown into engagementin the other draw-bar. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the draw-bar. views of the lock or extractor and the latch. Fig. 4 represents the manner of attaching the disconnecting chain or rod to the car.

The object of my invention is, first, to provide a safety car-coupler which may be operated from the top or either side of a car; second, to provide a safety car-coupler which can be applied to any car, of whatever height third, to provide a safety car-coupler which can couple with any ordinary draw-bar.

In carrying out my invention, A represents a draw-bar constructed with an open top, 'A, at its outer end, and a longitudinal recess, A for the reception of the coupling mechanism.

B is a pin properly secured in the bottom of the draw-bar and projecting upward to engage the link. This pin is preferably made in the form shown in the drawings, with a broad upper head, curved at the outer point, b, and

constructed with a lower shank, b, to act as a brace.

B is any ordinarylink used in coupling cars.

0 is a hook which constitutes the lock, and also the extractor to lift the coupling-link out of position when it is desired to uncouple the car. This hook is preferably made in the form shown in the drawings,with the shank c, shoulders c, and arm 0 Said hook is adapted. to be inserted in the recess A of the draw-bar, in

the rear of the pin B, and is pivoted through draw-bar, as shown at 0.

Fig. 3 represents separate the shoulder c to the draw-bar, as shown at a; Its construction and position are such that when thrown back on the pivot the arm 0 is brought up to the top and rear of the pin B, as shown at a, and the shank c is thrown back in the recess, as shown at a ,leaving the throat a open for .the reception of the link. When thrown forward on the pivot, the arm 0 is brought down into the recess, as shown at a and the shank c is thrown forward against the pin, as shown at a and the throatc is closed.

D is a latch adapted to be inserted in the recess A and pivoted at the rear end to the This latch is provided with an elongated slot, d, preferably extending on a line with the are of the under side of the latch.

E is a connecting-link pivoted to the shank c on the book 0 andin the slot d of the latch D, the adjustment being such as to allow the desired play of the hook and latch in their relation to each other, permitting the head of the latch d to close in behind the shoulder upon the hook when the throat is closed, as shown at a, and to be freely drawn out of said position when it is desired to set the coupler ready for coupling.

F is a chain secured to the latch, as shown at (:1 for throwing the coupler open. This chain is designed to be run over a pulley at the end of the car, as shown in Fig. 4, and may be continued to each side and to the top of the car, as may be desired.

The operation of the device is as follows: The throat of the hook may be thrown open by a pull or jerk upon the chain F, in which condition the mechanism is self-sustaining, by reason of the fact that the pivot in the slot d is projected forward to the upper end of the slot, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, in which position it is forward of .the center of gravity and the latch rests across the shank c. The latch is thus kept in its erect attitude, ready for coupling. By inserting a coupling- 7 link upon the arm a of the hook the arm is automatically depressed, and, rotating about the pivot a, the shank not" the hook is brought forward from under the latch and the latch brought down behind the shank, and the link is secured in the closed throat and over the pin B. A link being thus secured in one draw-bar, it is thrown up-in the position of the dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the mechanism in the opposite draw-bar is set ready for coupling. The two draw-bars and their connecting devices are now in proper position, ready to receive the shunting of the car. It only requires a sudden jerk to throw the link down from the position indicated by the dotted lines into the open throat of the lock in the opposite draw-bar. When it in desired to uncouple, a pull orjerk upon the chain from either side, or from the top of the car, will throw the mechanism open and eject the link, no matter at what angle the draw-bars may be standing. In the use of this device any shaped link may be used.

It is evident that instead of the chain F a rod or a lever may be substituted.

It is also evident that the form of the various parts maybe varied to a considerable extent without departing from my invention.

It is evident, furthermore, thatwhen it is desired to couple a car provided with my safety-coupler to another provided with draw-bars of any other ordinary construction it may be readily effected by inserting the link of the ordinary draw-barinto the locking mechanism of a draw-bar embodying my invention.

hat 1 claim is 1. A safety car-coupler consisting of a drawbar provided with an open top at its outer end, a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the coupling mechanism, and a stationary pin, and in connection therewith a locking-hook pivoted in said recess, a latch pivoted in said recess and provided with a suitable slot, and a link pivoted in the slot of the latch and to the shank of the hook, the whole construction being such that the latch and hook may be thrown into a self-supporting position ready for coupling, and automatically closed by the insertion of a link, substantially as and in the manner described.

2. Asafety car-coupler consisting of a drawbar provided with an open top at its outer end, a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the coupling mechanism, and a stationary pin, and in connection therewith a locking-hook pivoted in said recess, a latch pivoted in said recess, and provided with a suitable slot, a link pivoted in the slot of the latch and to the shank of the hook, and means for throwing the mechanism open and ejecting the link from the side or top of a car, the whole construction being such that the latch and hook may be thrown into a self-supporting position, ready for coupling, and automatically closed by the insertion of a link,substantially as and in the manner described.

3. In a safety car-coupler, the locking-hook (3, adapted to be pivoted in a longitudinal recess of the draw-bar, and in connection therewith the latch D, adapted to be pivoted in the longitudinal recess of the draw-bar, and provided with a suitable slot, and the link E, pivoted in the shank of the hook and in the slot of the latch, the construction being such that when pivoted in the draw-bar the throat of the hook maybe opened and closed, substantially as and in the manner described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES MORTIMER TERRY.

Witnesses:

R. W. SoPER, .T. EDWARD WARREN. 

